A Randomized Feasibility Trial of a Fundamental Motor Skill Parent-Mediated Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Luis Columna, Laura A. Prieto, Pamela Beach, Natalie Russo and John T. Foley
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Luis Columna: Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
Laura A. Prieto: Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
Pamela Beach: Department of Kinesiology, Sport Studies, and Physical Education, State University of New York at Brockport, Brockport, NY 14420, USA
Natalie Russo: Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, New York, NY 13244, USA
John T. Foley: Department of Physical Education, State University of New York at Cortland, Cortland, NY 13045, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 23, 1-15

Abstract: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility of a fundamental motor skills (FMS) intervention with two groups on the acquisition of FMS of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We randomly assigned families ( n = 15) of children with ASD aged 4–11 years into two groups (a workshop or a home-based group) focused on FMS development. Both groups participated in a 10-week intervention and were given the same instructional manual and adapted physical activity equipment. The workshop group also attended four in-person workshops targeting the needs of children with ASD and their parents. Children were tested on their FMS using the third edition of the Test of Gross Motor Development at the start and end of the intervention and then three months following the intervention. The recruitment rate was 50%, and the retention rate was 80% for all participants. The intervention for groups was safe and accepted by the participants as evaluated by post-program interviews. The outcomes of this pilot study suggest that parents can facilitate the acquisition of FMS of their children with ASD. Although these results are positive, there is a need to further identify effective interventions for FMS development in children with ASD.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorders; interventions; motor skills; parents; physical activity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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